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How long does it take for a scientist/inventor to come up with an idea and build it?
Hi! I'm Ms. Eldridge at the International Community School. My 5th graders have a few questions and I'd like to share your advice with them. Thanks in advance!
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Ari’s Answer
Great question(s)!
Coming up with the ideas can be very simple OR very complicated. Sometimes a new idea can come from searching for a solution to a problem. Like I said, these can be very simple (like a new kind of floor mat or gardening tool) to something very complicated (the Saturn 5 rocket to get to the moon or touch screen technology for your phone or a tablet). Other times, it's by making a mistake - the PostIt note came because a chemist spilled some chemicals on paper and realized it could be reused, and Cheetos originally started out as animal feed.
As far as the time to build the idea, it could be as little as a few hours or YEARS. Here's the thing - you can't just give up on an idea because of the time and effort it takes. Great ideas sometimes take time to get to market or to put in place. Fortunately, we're in a time of surprising technology, so design, trial and error manufacturing, and new coding software makes it much easier to bring products and solutions out. You just have to stick with it.
From personal experience, I've been working on a solution to buy and sell property online. It's taken 5 years because of all of the laws and different regulations. However, it's now ready......so stick with it!
Coming up with the ideas can be very simple OR very complicated. Sometimes a new idea can come from searching for a solution to a problem. Like I said, these can be very simple (like a new kind of floor mat or gardening tool) to something very complicated (the Saturn 5 rocket to get to the moon or touch screen technology for your phone or a tablet). Other times, it's by making a mistake - the PostIt note came because a chemist spilled some chemicals on paper and realized it could be reused, and Cheetos originally started out as animal feed.
As far as the time to build the idea, it could be as little as a few hours or YEARS. Here's the thing - you can't just give up on an idea because of the time and effort it takes. Great ideas sometimes take time to get to market or to put in place. Fortunately, we're in a time of surprising technology, so design, trial and error manufacturing, and new coding software makes it much easier to bring products and solutions out. You just have to stick with it.
From personal experience, I've been working on a solution to buy and sell property online. It's taken 5 years because of all of the laws and different regulations. However, it's now ready......so stick with it!
Updated
Nick’s Answer
One thing to understand about coming up with ideas is that they usually provide a new or better solution to a problem or need. This will provide a natural drive to invent and perfect it it and get it into practical use. In order to drive ideas, ask the students what problems they would like to solve.
Another important point is that collaboration will speed up idea development and implementation. Students should learn that sharing ideas will help them clarify their thoughts and get better insight into the value of the idea. It's likely that it will require the work of many people with different experience, talent and training to perfect and implement an idea.
On the other hand, we shouldn't make it seem so complicated. For example, ask the students how they would move a pile of small stones that weighs 500 pounds. Perhaps one student would suggest to get a wagon to move them. Another student could suggest to load the wagon with a shovel. Another suggests to make 5 trips with partial loads to make it easier.
This would be a perfectly valid and elegant example of instantaneously coming up with an idea, collaborating and implementing it.
Start small and easy for success and it will become not just a skill, but a habit.
Another important point is that collaboration will speed up idea development and implementation. Students should learn that sharing ideas will help them clarify their thoughts and get better insight into the value of the idea. It's likely that it will require the work of many people with different experience, talent and training to perfect and implement an idea.
On the other hand, we shouldn't make it seem so complicated. For example, ask the students how they would move a pile of small stones that weighs 500 pounds. Perhaps one student would suggest to get a wagon to move them. Another student could suggest to load the wagon with a shovel. Another suggests to make 5 trips with partial loads to make it easier.
This would be a perfectly valid and elegant example of instantaneously coming up with an idea, collaborating and implementing it.
Start small and easy for success and it will become not just a skill, but a habit.
Updated
Bob’s Answer
Ari's answer is excellent.
Before you expend a lot of effort, it's important to research the value of your idea. While you and I may think highly of your invention, a lot of great ideas fail because aren't willing to pay for it. Once you do the analysis, you need to continually check the viability.
Seek out independent feedback on your idea. In addition to your friends and family, ask other people. There's nothing wrong with asking someone you have just met what they think of your idea.
The best feedback is objective. Be ready with a lot of open ended questions for the person you are asking about your invention. First, describe it, then ask questions that will help you understand the viability of your product:
Determine your target market: Who will buy your product? Age group? Demographic such as tall people, etc.
How much is it worth. For example, if you could by my cool widget today, how much would you pay?
Why would you buy my product?
These types of questions will help you develop your business plan. Part of the business plan is an objective analysis of the product's viability. For example, if people will pay $.025 and it costs you $.035 to make it, it's a great idea that won't pay off.
There are costs associated with starting up. You need to understand how soon your idea will pay off. Manufacturing costs can be much higher than you expect. For example, a mold for a plastic part can cost over $75,000. When you understand the costs for setting up, you can then determine the Return on Investment(ROI). The ROI calculation can will tell you how much it will cost to get started and how long it will take for you to start making money.
Don't be discouraged by what you learn working through the process. You need to keep collecting information while you bring your idea to market and adjust along the way. The key is to keep an open mind and to pursue your dream. What someone won't buy today may become the hot thing tomorrow. Be flexible and keep at it.
Historically, inventors are told that nobody will buy their idea. For example: Ken Olsen, is a very bright man. He founded Digital Electric Corporation, a computer company. In 1977, he was quoted as saying "There is no reason anyone would want a computer in their home." Today, there are multiple computers in everyones home ranging from cell phones to thermostats to the laptop or tablet you use every day.
Before you expend a lot of effort, it's important to research the value of your idea. While you and I may think highly of your invention, a lot of great ideas fail because aren't willing to pay for it. Once you do the analysis, you need to continually check the viability.
Seek out independent feedback on your idea. In addition to your friends and family, ask other people. There's nothing wrong with asking someone you have just met what they think of your idea.
The best feedback is objective. Be ready with a lot of open ended questions for the person you are asking about your invention. First, describe it, then ask questions that will help you understand the viability of your product:
Determine your target market: Who will buy your product? Age group? Demographic such as tall people, etc.
How much is it worth. For example, if you could by my cool widget today, how much would you pay?
Why would you buy my product?
These types of questions will help you develop your business plan. Part of the business plan is an objective analysis of the product's viability. For example, if people will pay $.025 and it costs you $.035 to make it, it's a great idea that won't pay off.
There are costs associated with starting up. You need to understand how soon your idea will pay off. Manufacturing costs can be much higher than you expect. For example, a mold for a plastic part can cost over $75,000. When you understand the costs for setting up, you can then determine the Return on Investment(ROI). The ROI calculation can will tell you how much it will cost to get started and how long it will take for you to start making money.
Don't be discouraged by what you learn working through the process. You need to keep collecting information while you bring your idea to market and adjust along the way. The key is to keep an open mind and to pursue your dream. What someone won't buy today may become the hot thing tomorrow. Be flexible and keep at it.
Historically, inventors are told that nobody will buy their idea. For example: Ken Olsen, is a very bright man. He founded Digital Electric Corporation, a computer company. In 1977, he was quoted as saying "There is no reason anyone would want a computer in their home." Today, there are multiple computers in everyones home ranging from cell phones to thermostats to the laptop or tablet you use every day.